Archives for August 2011

Note: While we are busy tweaking the front page design to make it more appealing and functional (especially for our mobile readers), you may notice odd layout errors. Please hit "control-F5" to refresh the page and load the latest files. Thank you!

‘In connection with First Niagara Bank, N.A.’s acquisition of Upstate New York and Connecticut branches from HSBC Bank USA, N.A., the Buffalo-headquartered regional bank agreed to purchase the naming rights to HSBC Arena, the 18,690-seat home of the hockey club and Western New York’s premier sports and entertainment facility.’

‘”Absolutely, I want to stay in Buffalo,” Kotalik said by phone from the Czech Republic. “I’m coming to training camp with an open mind. I know that I can measure with anybody on that team. I can measure myself up with any guy on that squad, on that team, and I hope I will get the opportunity that I need. Everything else is up to me.”‘

‘Pegula has shown a greater commitment to winning before his first full season with the Sabres than Wilson has in 51 seasons owning the Bills, plain and simple. Pegula brings faith and a sense of relief while Wilson brings, well, what has he contributed in recent years exactly other than headaches?’

‘Drury only played three seasons in Buffalo (a fourth was lost to the lockout), but it sure seems like it was more than that. The two seasons immediately after the lockout comprise many of my fondest Buffalo sports memories. In a town that’s known for its losing ways, Drury’s Sabres — and make no mistake, it was his team — account for more good times than almost any other in the 28 years I’ve been watching these teams…’

‘”If we come out of the chute 0-9 this year, everybody is going to be going skitzoid,” Pegula said. “But you gotta believe you’re not an 0-9 team, and it will get better. You can’t have the Sword of Damocles hanging over the players, coaches and everybody’s head. You have to stick with the team.”‘